Mike Vukovcan It was an offensive explosion Thursday afternoon for the Hopewell HS Softball team as they had their best offensive output of the season.
The Lady Vikings collected a season-high hits (17) and runs in a 19-8 victory over Quaker Valley.
With the win, Hopewell improved to 4-4 in Section 2 and essentially wrapped up a playoff spot with 2 section games remaining on the schedule.
A couple of season and career-best performances by Hopewell players on Thursday.
Congrats to leadoff hitter Claire Sarkis, who went 6-for-6 with 3 RBIs, first baseman Abigail Babinsack, who was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI and junior Kamryn Roche for going 3-for-4 with 3 runs, 1 walk and 4 RBI.
Way to Go Ladies!!
They weren’t the only Hopewell batters to produce as Marina Pinchotti scored 3 runs, drove in 3 runs and walked 3 times along with collecting a hit, Teagan Scully went 2-4, with a walk and 4 runs scored, senior Allison Ramaley drove in 2 runs and Dakota Roche went 1 for 2, with 2 runs, 1 walk and 1 RBI.
Hopewell had 3 extra base hits on the day as Babinsack, Dakota Roche and Kamryn Roche each banged out doubles.
This game was close with Hopewell only leading 3-2 heading to the top of the 4th inning when the Vikings racked up 7 runs in the 4th and then 8 more in the top of the 6th inning.
The beneficiaries of this run support were Ellasaundra Hartle and Ramaley. Hartle went the first 2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs, while Ramaley closed out the game.
Both pitchers did a nice job throwing strikes as 16 of Hartle’s 28 pitches were strikes, with Ramaley throwing 46 of 57.
Hopewell will return to the field next Monday as they travel to Central Valley for a non-section game with an important game taking place on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Hopewell will travel to Ellwood City with 3rd place in all-likelihood on the line. Finishing in 3rd place would be important as it would give them a better seeding in the WPIAL playoffs.
After starting out the season 0-4 and playing very tough competition in Neshannock, North Catholic, Avonworth and Mohawk, Hopewell has won 4 of their last 7 games and this young team is improving.
